UR readers will learn little new from my talk, "Reactionary Imperialism for the 21st Century." But there are many other interesting speakers on the agenda - take a look. Plus, you get to see me work out my rabble-rousing beerhall style, in a Subcommander Marcos mask.

Really? A mask? Hopefully that's just sarcasm because if not, don't go. I can't imagine ever taking anything you say seriously again, much less recommending UR to anyone else if you were to show up in a mask.

"Really? A mask? Hopefully that's just sarcasm because if not, don't go. I can't imagine ever taking anything you say seriously again, much less recommending UR to anyone else if you were to show up in a mask."

I completely disagree.

Mencius has every right to conceal his identity in public. He is/was a working professional and has a family, wife, daughter, etc.

Um, the first step in protecting that right is to refuse to speak in public. If you want to speak in public it is intellectually dishonest to wear a mask or speak from behind a screen or conceal your identity in any other way. If I'd organized this conference, I wouldn't have let MM speak on those terms.

Mencius, are you under a threat of death from Islamic extremists or the mafia because of your views? If not, why do you not have the testicular fortitude to speak without a mask on? As far as we know, you don't even have a job that could be at risk (as if there's a boss in the world who gives a damn what his employees say in public about seasteading).

Probably both more than a little "Ren Faire" and "Diggerish" for you, but, then, so is SubComandante Marcos.

I do have to agree a mask seems a bit outre. Mayhap you can appear behind a screen, like someone seeking witness protection on old "60 Minutes" episodes, back when they occasionally did something less-useless.

If I was to speak in public, I too would wear a mask. There are lots of people who want to kill me or harm those I love for what I say in my web page and blog. There are also people who know my face, but not necessarily my name, and would like to kill me or harm those I love for what I have done in real life

"I can't imagine ever taking anything you say seriously again, much less recommending UR to anyone else if you were to show up in a mask."

Then this is your chance to step into the void, Subcomandante Marcus. Indeed, it may even be your duty to fill the gaping chasm left by Mencius's frivolity, since you're the one who sees it. If you know what must be done, and you know how it should be done... but the choice is yours.

I wasn't saying he doesn't have a right to conceal his identity in public. If Moldbug has a legitimate reason for hiding, he should stay home or attend anonymously. What I was I am saying is that the mask will hurt his reputation.

Who else wears a mask in public? Zorro, comic book characters, penitents, klansmen, biohazard workers, WWF wrestlers, black blocs and of course, Subcomandante Marcos. Does he really want to throw in with that lot?

There are other options. Record the talk and have it played back while someone runs the Powerpoint... Use Skype... Take video and blur the face like they do to protect the innocent on 20/20 and 60 minutes... You'll think of something.

Is there a place out there with an un-canted un-slanted account of what happened?I read the following book years ago. It's an unbiased account by a journalist with conventional mainstream views: http://www.amazon.com/Every-Knee-Shall-Bow-Tragedy/dp/0061011312/ref=pd_sim_b_9

If MM is so concerned about privacy, he shouldn't do this. His real name is easy to find out - he's been quite loose with personal details. This is just going to tantalize internet detectives, and emphasize to those who dislike him that they could hurt him by unmasking him (I had thought he didn't really give a shit who found his identity).

If he is unmasked, he'll have more to worry about from progressives than fringe anti-semitic intellectuals like n/a. What do you think n/a is going to do, throw a Lothrop Stoddard book at him?

"I find your lack of proper incentives for the provision of good government displeasing."

Speaking of which, random thought:

MM has already shattered my perceptions of the American Revolution, Civil War, WW1 and WW2... but I just realized that the Empire were the good guys in Star Wars. My world is officially flipped upside down.

@zdeno: some conservative did an essay a few years back (probably in the weekly standard or a similar venue) on precisely that point--how the empire were the forces of order, and the rebels of chaos, and our sympathies should rest with the empire. (i'm sure someone else here can find a link.)

given a recent (to me, at least) revelation that lucas originally conceived star wars as a vietnam allegory with the empire representing america, i find this argument even more persuasive.

* Elites have an inherent right to arbitrary rule; common citizens needn't be consulted. They may only choose which elite to follow.

* "Good" elites should act on their subjective whims, without evidence, argument or accountability.

* Any amount of sin can be forgiven if you are important enough.

* True leaders are born. It's genetic. The right to rule is inherited.

* Justified human emotions can turn a good person evil.

And also:

Remember the final scene in "Return of the Jedi," when Luke gazes into a fire to see Obi-Wan, Yoda and Vader, smiling in the flames? I found myself hoping it was Jedi Hell, for the amount of pain those three unleashed on their galaxy, and for all the damned lies they told. But that's me.

I've been to a few bars around Brown, I mean, Hell, going to any bar in RI is like being right next to Brown... but Providence cops like to order people who are drunk to drive, so it explains MM quite well (it was probably because me and my compatriot were on the same social level as the equine as well as being trained enforcers of the global status blow -- its a prole job but someone has to do it).

...and I see where Darth Moldbug is coming from when I read Hans-Hermann Hoppe, drink too bourbon, and think everything in life is a computer program.

Being anonymous is more fun, even (or especially) when what he is saying is basically re-describing reality just on the cusp of being.